Closure for paste tubes and the like



Aug. 17, 1926. v 1,596,773

C. A. SPQTZ CLOSURE FOR PASTE TUBES AND THE LIKE Filed April 18, 1925 lizaeni'an' 2 A. Spoj'z, WWW

Patented Aug. 17, 1926.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHESTER A. SZ POTZ, 0]! GBEENWICH, CONNECTICUT.

CLOSURE FOR PASTE TUBES AND THE LIKE.

Application filed April 18, 1925. "Serial No. 24,209.

My present invention relates to improvements n closure means for collapsible tubes of the type used as containers for tooth paste, shaving cream, paints, and other plastic materials, or articles. I

The invention aims to provide a construction in which the closure cap may be readily.

connected to and disconnected from the tube, spout or nozzle, by a swinging motlon, as distinguished from the customary screwing and unscrewing, and in which the ca will be permanently connected wlth the tube so as to insure it against loss or displacement, and by which it may, in effecting closure, be properly aligned with the tube nozzle.

The invention further aims to provide a tube having associated with such closure device, means whereby the container may be suspended from a hook or nail, where this is desirable.

The invention further aims to accomplish the aforesaid objects by means which will be economic of manufacture, and durable and eflicient in use.

With these various objects in view, the invention includes the novel features of construction and arrangement and combination of parts hereinafter described, the precise nature and scope of my invention being defined and ascertained by the claims appended hereto.

An embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which Figure 1 is a perspective view of the upper portion of a paste tube with my imroved closure means applied thereto.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation.

Fig. 3 is a central vertical transverse section.

Fig. 4 is an elevation looking from the ri ht, Fig. 2.

ig. 5 is a top or plan view with the parts shown in the position of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a sectional detail showing the lug and slot formation of the cap, and

Fig. 6 is a view showing a modified form of suspended means.

Referrin by reference characters to this drawing, t e numeral 1 indicates the collapsible body of the tube having the customary relatively rigid head 1 carrying the delivery spout or nozzle 2. This may be shaped to deliver the paste in any desired form, to wit, either of circular cross section, or of flattened or ribbon form.

In the preferred embodiment I have shown the nozzle as of transversely elongated form with the paste exit opening 2 of corresponding shape.

The nozzle is provided on opposite sides with grooves 2 adapted to receive the holding means hereinafter described.

3 designates the cap which has an internal bore or recess to fit the nipple, both of which may be tapered to effect a tight joint. The cap may, also, be provided with an internal elastic packing, silch as a layer of cork 3 to further secure an air tight closure.

The wall of the ca is provided on diametrically opposite sides thereof, with lugs or projections 3 which have grooves or channels 3 in their outer faces formin shoulders, and said wall is further provided with a semi-circular slot 3 extending from lug to lug. The head 1 of the container is provided with a lug or projection 1 having a groove or channel, one wall 1 of which is elongated and of bendable material for a purpose which will presently appear, and which before assembly projects outwardly to leave an open slot in the lug.

4 designates a closure carrying and securing member formed of spring wire having approximately parallel cap carrying side arms 4, and an intermediate or connecting transverse portion 4 which is desi led to be inserted in the groove or channe in the lug 1 whereafter the bendable wallis overturned or pressed down to close the slot and form a closed eye in which the portion 4" is rotatably held, thereby forming a pivot or hin e for said side arms. pre erably the fact that it is undesirable or unnecessary to make the hinge lug as wide as the cap.

Immediately adjoining these offset lug engaging portions 4, Fig. 5, the arms are bent sharply inward towards each other to provide two tongue portions sides and project far enough, when unrestrained, to enter the grooves 2 in the spout or nozzle when the cap is in place thereon. After forming these tongues the wires constituting said arms are carried outwardly (away from the hinge) through the slots and are then bent to extend past each other in opposite directions, as indicated at The arms are offset or bent outwardly due to 4 which enter the seml-circular slot in the cap from opposite 4, their termini being provided with thumb and finger grasping means, such for example as the loops 4.

From the foregoing, it will be readily seen that when the cap Is in place on the tube nozzle, it will be securel locked in position by the projections of t 1e spring armsengaging the grooves in the opposite side of the nozzle, while to remove the cap, 1t is only necessary to press the two loops 4? to-' wards each other, which withdraws the projections or looking tongues from the nozzle grooves and allows the cap to be swun away from the nozzle on the pivot forme by the engagement of the carrying arms with the lug on the container head.

To replace the cap, it is only necessary to swing it over against and press 1t upon the nozzle, the taper of which forces the arms apart until they are aligned with the nozzle grooves, when they immediately spring into I looking. position.

a closed eye,

It is desirable to provide means for hangmg a aint tube ofthis character on a hook or naili -To this end I provide thecap with a lug 5 on the top thereof, having a groove therein provided with an elongated bend-' able wall 5. By inserting a ring 6 in this groove and bendin over the wall 5 to form' the ring will be held in place and ready for use as a suspending means.

If desired, the ring attaching lug could be.

applied to the end wall or head 1 of the tube, as indicated at 5 in Fig. 6. e

It is obvious that instead of making the hinge lug 1 with one short and one long bendable wall, it could be made with two bendable walls or tongues of equal length, both adapted to be bent over towards each other to close the slot and form the hinge It will also be obviou that, if desired, suspending means such as ring 6 could be omitted and one of the loops 4 used for hanging the tube on a hook or the like.

It will be observed from Fig. 6 that the grooved projection 1" has one ortion or wall higher than the other portlon on the opposite side of the groove. This construc- Having thus described my invention, whatv I claim is '1. In combination, a container having a delivery nozzle provided with shoulders. on op osite sides thereof, a-cap for said nozzle,

an hinge means connecting the cap to the container, said hinge means comprisin sprin arms having portions to engage .sai shoul ers, and havm crossed ends.

2. A device according to claim 1, in which the shoulders on the nozzle are provided on opposite sides with grooves which engage the spring arms.

3. In combination, a container having a delivery -nozzle provided with shoulders on opposite sides thereof, a cap for said nozzle, said cap being open sided, and hinge means connecting the cap to the container, said hinge means comprising spring arms embracing the cap and having tongue portions passing through the opening-in the side of the cap to engage the shoulders of the nozzle, the ends of said spring armsbeing crossed, substantially as described.

4. A device according to claim 3 in which the cap is provided externally with grooved lugs engaged by said spring arms.

5. A container having a delivery nozzle provided with shoulders on opposite sides thereof, a ca for said nozzle, and a pair of arms movab e towards and from each other and normally spring pressed towards each other, said cap eing slotted and said arms having slot penetrating portions for engaging said shoulders.

In testimony whereof, I aflix my signature.

CHESTER A. SPOTZ.

understood 

